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PANTANI: THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF A CYCLIST

By James ERSKINE

Documentary - Completed 2014

This is the story of the tragic battles fought by the most important Italian cyclist of his generation; man verses mountain, athlete verses addiction, Marco Pantani verses himself.

- Year of production
- 2014
- Genres
- Documentary
- Countries
- UNITED KINGDOM
- Director(s)
- James ERSKINE
- Writer(s)
- James ERSKINE, Oliver PARSONS
- Producer(s)
- Victoria GREGORY (New Black Films), James ERSKINE (New Black Films)
- Synopsis
- In 1998 Marco Pantani, the most flamboyant and popular cyclist of his era, won both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, a titanic feat of physical and mental endurance that no rider has repeated since. He was a hero to millions, the saviour of cycling following the doping scandals that threatened to destroy the sport. Less than six years later, aged just 34, he died alone in a cheap hotel room from acute cocaine poisoning. He had been an addict for five years. This is the story of the tragic battles fought by the most important Italian cyclist of his generation; man verses mountain, athlete verses addiction, Marco Pantani verses himself.
  
  “Compelling” – The Telegraph, “Essential watching, even for anyone who can’t stand the sport.” – Total Film